Recent Theoretical Results for δ Scuti and Dwarf Cepheid Variables

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests that δ Set stars and most dwarf Cepheids are population I objects of normal mass. The remaining dwarf Cepheids, including CY Aqr, DY Peg, SX Phe and GD 428, have low masses, are metal-deficient, and are in a presently undetermined stage of evolution (Breger 1979, McNamara and Feltz 1978, but see also Simon 1979).Many δ Set and dwarf Cepheid variables are multiperiodic and, in principle, multiple periods can be used to infer physical properties of these stars. The component periods must be determined accurately and reliably, and several workers (Breger, Fitch, Kurtz, Pelt, Percy, Shob-brook, Stellingwerf, Stobie and Warman) are active in developing and applying new methods of period analysis; see Wizinowich and Percy (1979) for a representative example.One result of these analyses is the discovery that in some stars, modes may vary in amplitude or appear or disappear completely within a few days (Stobie and Shobbrook 1976). Methods of period analysis must allow for this possibility if they are to be accurate and reliable.